Nicolas Anelka claims Chelsea bigger club than Arsenal

Former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka has taken a swipe at Arsene Wenger's
men, claiming Chelsea are in a different league to the Gunners.

Capital rivals: Chelsea vying with Arsenal top be top London teamPhoto: AFP

By Telegraph staff

8:55AM BST 24 Apr 2009

Anelka, who played under Wenger between 1997 and 1999 before leaving for Real Madrid, believes Arsenal lack the experience to challenge Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea for the Premier League title, and will have to make do with fourth spot for a few years to come.

He told the Mirror: "Chelsea are a mega club composed of top players, within which you have to win every game because you are put under massive pressure. You have to iwn week in week out.

"It is different from at Arsenal. There is a context surrounding the club because of the chairman, Mr Abramovich, that makes people speak about Chelsea more than Arsenal.

"Arsenal are composed of young players, aiming for third or fourth place, but we do not really speak about them for the title. Chelsea are like Real Madrid - the pressure here is huge."

Chelsea recently knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup at the semi-final stages, and there is every chance they will meet again in the Champions League final if Chelsea overcome Barcelona and Arsenal defeat Man United.